Ukraine drone strike rattles Kremlin, dents Putin's image
The Ukrainian drone attack on Russian bomber bases this past Sunday made waves in the Kremlin, though it did not significantly reduce Russia's military capabilities, according to Bloomberg News. Furthermore, the Ukrainian army's action has dented Putin's image.
What do you need to know?
- Ukrainian drone attack: On Sunday, Ukrainian drones targeted Russian bomber bases.
- According to Bloomberg, the attack undermined Putin's image and sent ripples through the Kremlin.
- Aftermath of the raid: Western experts believe the damage was significant, although Moscow and Kyiv have different views on the number of aircraft affected.
While the Sunday attack by Ukrainian drones on Russian bomber bases did not heavily impact Russia's military potential, it did strike a blow to Putin's image and created unrest within the Kremlin, news agencies report.
Bloomberg stated that the attack on bases housing Tu-160, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3 bombers directly targeted Russia's aviation resources. Western experts are still evaluating the aftermath of the raid, with one high-ranking official describing the damage as "significant."
Did the attack affect the Russian nuclear triad?
Dmitry Stefanovich from the Center for International Security in Moscow believes the impact on Russia's nuclear forces is minimal, as they predominantly rely on intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarines. Nevertheless, the accurate strike on these bases has weakened Russia's deterrence capability.
Air defense specialist Thomas Withington highlighted the Ukrainian forces' exposure of the Russian air defense's inability to protect key strategic assets.
What are the international consequences of the attack?
Sanctions on Russia will hinder its ability to obtain the necessary parts and technology to fix damaged equipment. Bloomberg mentioned that European governments welcome any reduction in Russian aviation resources. Thomas Withington stressed that by sidelining strategic bombers, Ukraine has helped diminish the threat to NATO and its allies.
